Viking Age Gilt Bronze Boar's Head Brooch

With segmented teeth to the edges of the lentoid plaque; ring-and-dot detailing, suspension loop. 23.2 grams, 53 mm



Acquired early 2000s. Property of a Stowmarket, UK, gentleman.

With convex outer face and tapering arms, stamp decorated with triangles and lozenges. 105 grams, 75 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Similar bracelets were found usually in female graves in the Hemlanden cemetery in Birka. Sometimes they were found in pairs, sometimes worn only on the right arm. Their main characteristic was the geometric decoration engraved on the surface

Modelled standing left with stylised detailing; likely a cockerel; pin lug and catchplate to reverse. 6.4 grams, 26 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Similar brooches are known from Denmark and some examples show us a very similar form and decoration. So far England is the only area outside Scandinavia where bird brooches similar to those discovered in Denmark have been found. The archaeological finds indicate close contacts between England and Denmark in the first half of the 11th century. Anne Pedersen suggests that Byzantium art may be a source of inspiration for these specific type of brooches as is evident from the Danish coinage of the 11th century that direct or indirect influence from Constantinople played an important role, especially in connection with the presence of Danish mercenaries in the Varangian Guard of the Roman emperor.